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10 Questions with ... James Steele
October 18, 2005
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NAME:James SteelePOSITION:Music Director/NightsSTATION:WGBT (94.5 The Beat)MARKET:Greensboro, NCCOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:Vero Beach, FLRAISED:Vero Beach, FL
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started when I was 15 emptying trash cans and getting the DJs coffee at a locally owned cluster called TREASURE AND SPACE COAST RADIO in VERO BEACH. I did a two hour talk show on the AM station on Saturdays, then when I was 16, I started doing weekends at the 80's station in the cluster. I moved to overnights, then to nights. After two years, I was picked up by WBVD (95.1 The Beat) up the road in MELBOURNE, FL. I started doing Imaging/weekends, then mornings, then nights. That brings me here to WGBT/GREENSBORO.
1. What was your last non-Industry job?
I worked at St. Eds Summer Camp in Vero Beach. Speedo was optional.
2. What got you interested in Radio?
Drew Garabo and Daniel Dennis from Real Radio 104.1 in Orlando. There's something about two guys sitting around messing with listeners, doing prank phone calls, and BS'ing about what real people BS about every day appealed to me.
3. What secret about James Steele will surprise even those that know you?
I used to be in musicals in high school. I was singing and prancing around on stage. My parents have the videos. I will be burning them shortly. They are more embarrassing to watch then listening to my airchecks from my first year on the air. No, I didn't wear tights.
4. What's the highlight of your radio career to date?
The running joke in the studio with me and my stunt dudes in MELBOURNE at WBVD (Wingnut and Brian) were that we were the only ones who found this stuff funny. Well the ratings book came out, and we were #1 persons 18-34 and persons 25-54 (tied with Delilah! HAHAHA). I had to pay a lot of people to get those numbers. Seriously, to this day I don't know how we pulled that one off.
5. What do you remember most from your first shift on the air?
I opened the mic, and instantly forgot how to speak the English language.
6. Who do you consider to be your mentor(s)?
Some of these people I know, some I don't...but I do consider them mentors: Mike Lowe, Drew Garabo, Ted Rose, Kane, Curtis Booker, Ken Holiday, Chad Pitt, Zac Davis, JoJo from Wild 95.5 in West Palm Beach ages ago (where'd you go bro?), Glenn Beck, and of course, Howard Stern.
7. How does doing nights help you as an MD?
I have a large window to get logs done, and if I need to get two or three done in one day, I can. Also of course hearing what the listeners want on a nightly basis is always a good thing.
8. What area of your "game" do you want to improve?
Just be on point on the air at ALL times. Every once and a while I will lose myself in a break, and have to cover it by saying "I'm Drunk."
9. If you were to leave Radio today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be?
Owner of MYSPACE. Tom has to be loaded. I think I'm just jealous because he gets to chat online with babes all day.
10. Quizno's or Subway?
Quiznos....I just want to rub the broccoli cheddar soup all over my body.
Bonus Questions
A freak gravitational shift has added three hours to everyday. What would you do with those extra three hours?
I would make those Non-Radio hours. I'd probably work out, and hang out with friends. Actually, come to think about it, a freak gravitational force can't be good. It probably means the world is coming to an end. So I would probably drink a lot, do a lot of drugs, and have some fun with groupies.
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